Family Weekend 2024

Family Weekend Check-In

Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm| Student Center East Building, Second Floor (750 S Halsted St)

We’re excited to welcome you to UIC! Members of the New Student and Family Programs staff will greet you and provide you with information and materials for the weekend.

Superfest Disability Film Festival- Day # 1

Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm (watch party of Award Winners Screening) | Student Center East- Cardinal Room 329 (750 S Halsted St) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

Join the UIC Disability Cultural Center for a Chicago showcase of the Superfest Disability Film Festival! We are thrilled to host two in-person screenings of the festival’s exciting line-up.

What is Superfest? Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest running disability film festival in the world. Since it first debuted in a small Los Angeles showcase in 1970, it has become an eagerly anticipated international event—hosted by Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State. For more than 30 years, Superfest has celebrated cutting-edge cinema that portrays disability through a diverse, complex, unabashed and engaging lens. Check out this list of the 2024 films: https://superfestfilm.org/2024-films

For more details and accessibility information, visit DCC’s site

“The Haunting of Hull House” Ghost Tours 

Times: 6:00pm & 7:00pm | Jane Addams Hull House Museum (800 S Halsted St) | Cost: $10 per person

From its inception, the Hull-House Settlement was a center of urban legends and supernatural stories, as Chicago’s neighborhoods kept alive whispers about its supposed unearthly inhabitants. Today, Hull-House is a favorite stop on Chicago ghost tours and it is often hailed as one of the most haunted places in the country. While they are spooky and fun, these stories stem from important conversations about religious beliefs and social norms, as well as the collective consciousness of the Hull-House neighborhood. They often highlight the struggles of new immigrants in the city and the gruesome conditions they faced due to capitalist exploitation. For many, Chicago was a place of great hardship, plagued by a history of tragic events that left countless ghost stories in their wake, including those of Hull-House’s infamous Devil Baby and resident Lady in White.

To reserve your tour, follow this link: https://www.hullhousemuseum.org/programs-and-events-at-hullhouse/hullhouseghosttours. Tour reservations and payment are separate from your Family Weekend registration. 

UIC Men’s Soccer vs. Belmont (Nashville, TN)

Time: 7:00pm | Flames Field (901 W Roosevelt Rd) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

Join UIC Men’s Soccer for their matchup against Belmont during Family Weekend. All soccer games are free for students, staff and the general public.

Family Weekend Check-In

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm | Student Center East Building, Second Floor (750 S Halsted St) 

We’re excited to welcome you to UIC! Members of the New Student and Family Programs staff will greet you and provide you with information and materials for the weekend.

Bookstore Hours

Time: 10:00am-2:00pm | Student Center East Building, First Floor (750 S Halsted St)

Looking to add some Flames gear to your wardrobe? The UIC Bookstore will be open on Saturday from 10:00am-2:00pm on Saturday, October 19th, and provide a special discount for Family Weekend attendees.

Fall Family Photos

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm | Student Center East- White Oak Room (750 S Halsted St) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

Commemorate your Family Weekend experience and celebrate your spirit with a family photo. Backdrop and props will be provided to make your family photo truly unique. Photos will be taken on a first come first serve basis.

Family Weekend Brunch

Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm | Student Center East building- Illinois Room 3rd floor (750 S Halsted St) | Cost: $25 per person, FREE for guests under ages 5 and under with the purchase of a brunch ticket

Pasteries, eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon… YUM! Join New Student and Family Programs for our annual all-you-can-eat brunch on Saturday, October 19. We are no longer selling tickets for the Family Weekend brunch. and are unable to add additional reservations at this time. We are unable to provide walk-in reservations. All ticket sales are final.

Superfest Disability Film Festival- Day #2

Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm (in-person screening) | Student Center East- Cardinal Room 329 (750 S Halsted St) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

Join the UIC Disability Cultural Center for a Chicago showcase of the Superfest Disability Film Festival! We are thrilled to host two in-person screenings of the festival’s exciting line-up.

What is Superfest? Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest running disability film festival in the world. Since it first debuted in a small Los Angeles showcase in 1970, it has become an eagerly anticipated international event—hosted by Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State. For more than 30 years, Superfest has celebrated cutting-edge cinema that portrays disability through a diverse, complex, unabashed and engaging lens. Check out this list of the 2024 films: https://superfestfilm.org/2024-films

For more details and accessibility information, visit DCC’s site 

October G.I.V.E. Service Project- Maxwell Street Garden Clean-up

Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm | Location: Maxwell Street Garden (1150 W 13th St) | Cost: FREE with Family Weekend registration

Join the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement  for an off-campus service project at Maxwell St. Garden. Volunteers will help with regular garden clean-up, fall weeding, and prepping the garden for the winter. Transportation to and from the site will be provided, but volunteers may also utilize their own form/method of transportation. See details below.

1:30pm – Check-In Outside Student Center East
1:45pm – Leave for the Service Site
2-3:30pm – Service Event
3:30pm – Head back to Campus

Veteran and Military-Connected Meet & Greet

Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm | Commuter and Off-Campus Living Multipurpose Room, SCE 254 (750 S Halsted St) | Cost: FREE with Family Weekend registration

Veterans and military-affiliated students and families are invited to join UIC’s Student Veteran Affairs and members from the Department of Veteran Affairs to learn more about UIC’s veteran and military community, specific veteran and military resources, connect with others, and have their questions answered. Light refreshments will be served.

Campus Tours with Orientation Leaders

Time: 2:15pm-3:15pm | Student Center East Building- 1st floor (750 S Halsted St) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

UIC has a beautiful campus! If you’ve never been to campus before, let us show you around. Enjoy seeing and learning more about UIC with a special Family Weekend tour, facilitated by UIC Orientation Leaders.

Family Weekend BINGO

Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm | Student Center East building- Illinois Room 3rd floor (750 S Halsted St) | FREE with Family Weekend registration

Let’s play some B-I-N-G-O Family Weekend style. It’s sure to be fun for the entire family! 

UIC NIGHT with Chicago Fire FC vs. Nashville SC

Time: 5:00pm | Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Dr | Cost: $25 per ticket- See link below to purchase tickets

Chicago Fire FC is excited to offer discounted tickets to all UIC students, faculty/staff/ alumni, and friends as they take on the Nashville SC at Solider Field. To purchase your tickets and receive more information, visit https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Universityillinois6.

UIC Wind Ensemble Fall Ensemble

Time: 7:30pm | UIC Theatre (1040 W Harrison St) | FREE

Join the UIC Wind Ensemble for the Fall Ensemble. Tickets can be claimed through the UIC Theatre’s Box Office. To claim your tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uic-wind-ensemble-tickets-1036154785857

UIC Women’s Soccer vs. Illinois State- PUPS AT THE PITCH!

Time: 3:00pm (CST) | Flames Field (901 W Roosevelt Rd) | FREE with Family Weekend Registration

Join UIC women’s soccer for their matchup against Illinois State during UIC Family Weekend. All soccer games are free for students, staff and the general public. Make sure to bring your dog to the game for Pups at the Pitch.

Recreation Center Access

Enjoy access to UIC’s Student Recreation Facility all weekend long, including access to aquatic facilities and fitness classes (see schedule below). A waiver must be completed at the Student Recreation Facility to access the facilities. Guests must be registered for Family Weekend or have an existing guest membership to access facilities.

The Student Recreation Facility is located at 737 S Halsted St. For hours and more information, visit https://recreation.uic.edu/facilities/facility_srf/.

Friday Fitness Classes:

I. F45 HIIT Class | Time: 4:30pm-5:15pm

F45 Training is a 45-minute functional, high-intensity, circuit training workout. Each class begins with a short warm-up, the main workout and a brief cooldown.

II. Bollywood Fitness Dance Class | Time: 6:00pm-6:45pm

A vibrant, high-energy dance class that combines traditional and modern Bollywood choreography with upbeat music for a fun, full-body cardio workout.

Saturday Fitness Classes:

I. F45 HIIT Class | Time: 10:30am-11:30am

F45 Training is a 45-minute functional, high-intensity, circuit training workout. Each class begins with a short warm-up, the main workout and a brief cooldown.

II. Swish House Basketball Fitness Class | Time: 10:15am-11:30am

60 minutes of fun, hoops-based cardio drills, HIIT stations and team shooting contests designed for anyone who loves the game!

Family Weekend 5k

Start your watches and run, jog, or walk to complete a 5k during Family Weekend. Those who complete a 5k (3.1 miles) during the weekend will receive a t-shirt from New Student and Family Programs. Must indicate 5k participation on Family Weekend registration.

This is not a formalized race. Need help planning your 5k route? Check out UIC’s walking and running trails HERE.

Sparky Selfie Scavenger Hunt

Where’s Sparky? Follow the clues to find the hidden Sparkys at 5 different campus locations. Take a selfie with all 5 Sparkys and receive a prize from New Student and Family Programs.

All events listed below are not affiliated with UIC or Family Weekend. The events listed provide FREE admission. Registration may be required in order to attend and additional costs (parking, transportation, etc.) may not be included. Please check the event for specific details. 

2024 Chicago Architecture Open House

Time: Varies based on location/site | Days: Saturday and Sunday | Various Locations

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is proud to host Open House Chicago (OHC) on October 19-20, 2024. OHC is a free public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites throughout Chicago, plus more than 40 events and programs at the sites, including demonstrations, talks and arts performances. Go explore!

For more information, visit https://www.architecture.org/open-house-chicago/

Arts in the Dark Annual Halloween Parade

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm | Date: Saturday, Oct 19 | Chicago Loop: State St to Van Buren St

Chicago’s creative community will out in force at the 10th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade! Don’t miss your chance to be dazzled by this one of a kind spectacle parade! The parade takes place in the heart of the Chicago Loop on State Street moving south from Lake Street to Van Buren.

For more information, visit https://artsinthedark.com/about/

National Museum of Mexican Art

Time: 10:00am-5:00pm | Days: Friday-Sunday | 1852 W 19th Street

Located in the historic Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, the  National Museum of Mexican  Art displays many vibrant exhibits, sharing the stories and experiences of Mexican, Latino, and Chicano culture.

Home of House Music Exhibit at Navy Pier

Time: 11:00am-8:00pm | Dates: Friday-Sunday (Oct 18-20) | Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave

Enter into the high-energy world of house music culture and explore the dances, DJs, style and music that helped create this movement that developed into a global phenomenon. The exhibit showcases the history of house music as well as present-day forms with photos, videos, installations and sound displays.  The free exhibit is open daily from 11- 8 pm, located near Kilwins candy store between doors 5 and 6.

Illuminated Legacy Exhibit at Navy Pier

Time: 11:00am-8:00pm | Dates: Friday-Sunday (Oct 18-20) | Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave

Discover a curated selection of ten Tiffany windows from Richard H. Driehaus’s extensive collection of over 1,500 Tiffany objects. As a passionate collector and philanthropist, Mr. Driehaus acquired the historic Nickerson Mansion in 2003, overseeing its meticulous five-year restoration. Today, the Driehaus Museum, situated near Michigan Avenue, serves as a hub for global conversations on art, architecture, and design. The museum’s collection, shaped by Mr. Driehaus’s vision, includes exquisite Tiffany lamps and glassware. This exhibit is open daily, free to the public, and located on the lower level of the Pier’s Festival Hall (between Garage Doors 10-12).

Lincoln Park Blues and Gangster Tour

Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm | Days: Friday-Sunday (Oct 18-20) | DePaul University (meet at Fullerton and Halsted) 2400 N Sheffield

The Lincoln Park neighborhood is noted for pretty, tree-lined streets and this two-hour walking tour will guide you down a few known for blues bars and gangster history.  Stops include the Biograph Theater, where John Dillinger was famously gunned down, architectural landmarks by Louis Sullivan and the Kingston Mines Blues club. The tour starts at 2 pm and is scheduled 3-4 times a week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday but check the calendar.  The meeting place is at Depaul University courtyard at Fullerton and Halsted Streets. Reservations are required. 

Chicago Riverwalk and History Tour

Time: 2:00-4:00pm | Days: Saturday & Sunday (Oct 19-20) | Chicago Renaissance Hotel, 1 Wacker Dr

Are you interested in finding a place for your family to worship during Family Weekend? Below is a list of religious locations near campus, should you be interested in attending any services. This is not an exhaustive list of locations, so if you don’t see a location that meets your needs, please contact us!

Additionally, you can reach out to the Religious Workers’ Association. The Religious Workers Association (RWA) at UIC is comprised of campus groups and foundations with professional staff committed to serving students’ religious and spiritual needs in an open, non-proselytizing environment. The RWA website contains contact information for each of the participating organizations, we encourage you to reach out with any questions.